Iona Prep Students Raise Funds for Locals Organizations

A little bit of fun at Iona Prep will lead to contributions for area organizations.

The private school is hosting its first-ever "Iona Cares Week" through Friday.

Darin Gillenwater, co-director of the Student Faculty Council at the Catholic preparatory school, said he hopes to make it an annual event.

"This year it worked out because we are doing something with Global Solidarity Week," he said, adding that it was designed to help break down walls that separate people with differences, such as disabilities or race.

The "Iona Cares Week" started off Monday with a morning assembly and the sale of alochol-free pina coladas—complete with tiny umbrellas—for $3.

Sal Galbo, 15, of Port Chester, helped Gillenwater sell some of the drinks.

He said his fellow students were happy to help area organizations with their contributions.

Galbo was looking forward to Dress Down Day Tuesday, meaning he could—for $5—shed his jacket and tie.

"It's great," the sophomore said. "It feels kind of free with no tie."

The organizations that will benefit from the fundraising efforts are Hawthorne Country Day, S.A.I.L. (The School for Adaptive & Integrative Learning) at Ferncliff Manor in Yonkers, the Leukemia Lymphoma Society and New Rochelle's HOPE Community Services.

The goal is to raise over $7,000 in funds.

Tim Hefferon, 18, of Armonk, said the school requires community service so all the students have many opportunities to get involved.

But, he said he feels the requirement isn't necessary because of the tenets of his faith.

"We would do that anyway," Hefferon, a senior and president of the Student Faculty Council, said.

He personally gets a feeling of satisfaction helping others.

"You know you can change something in their lives," Hefferon said.

Other fundraising activities during the week include a three-point basketball shooting contest with the winner getting a $50 gift card, a fair with table games to which students from S.A.I.L are invited and a school dance.

Gillenwater said service to the community in which the students are learning means the students are not isolated from the surrounding area.

He said it speaks to being "an Iona Man—someone who give of themselves and helps out with out being prompted."